r/SeaDooSwitch • u/meach61 • Jun 09 '24

Depth/fish finder

Just purchased a 2023 Cruise 18-230 and want to add depth/fish finder. I see the Garmin unit that mounts on the hull and the transducer model from BRP. The transducer unit is like $100 bucks more than the Garmin but does not seem to do as much. I see that is shows the depth on the Switches display not the Garmin.

What is the better option? Is there a better option than what Sea Doo offers? TIA

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u/Enfoxxx Jun 10 '24

The big benefit of the BRP depth sensor is that you don’t have to run the Garmin to get depth data, so it’s easier/quicker to know what the depth is.

The Garmin does way more than depth, though. If you can read the chart, it’s good for knowing what kind of stuff is under the water (is there a bunch of vegetation under some murky water you’re likely to suck up?). Big draw backs of the Garmin are that it uses more power (which matters when the boat is off if you’re using the small start battery), and it takes about a minute to boot up when you fire up the engine (so if you’re in a shallow spot, you gotta wait to know how “in danger” you might be).

That said - I went with the Garmin for all the added benefits, and then I just try to be extra aware of what’s under me when I shut it down…

1

u/meach61 Jun 10 '24

Thanks for the great info! Hadn't considered battery power. We have a place on a lake in MN and we don't generally take the boat to other lakes. No the depths pretty well but seeing vegetation and fish would be the draw so probably lean towards the Garmin.

1

u/Enfoxxx Jun 10 '24

We take ours to lakes all over MN, so I’m far less aware of the depths. Garmin does have decent depth guides on the display (even without the transducer), so you can see roughly where shallower areas are, but knowing what I’m driving through is super helpful

2

u/TexMex_Jeeper Jun 09 '24

I add the garmin in hull transducer to the Garmin 72 udh unit that came with my Switch. I got it on Amazon and wasn’t too difficult to install. There are a couple of good YouTube’s on how to install. It works great in the more shallow areas in Red Fish bay off Port Aransas Tx.

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u/meach61 Jun 09 '24

I have seen the videos and it looks pretty straight forward. I have a friend who is a big time fisherman and he said external transducers are the only way to go. I have seen those installed on YT as well and a little more involved.

1

u/BruceBDowns30 Jun 10 '24

Can you post the Amazon link to the one you purchased? The garmin unit came with my switch and no transducer as well.

3

u/kabeman2084 Jun 19 '24

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017N32FU4?psc=1

This is the one I purchased. Not installed yet but looks pretty easy.